You are currently viewing all of James Berry's Angler's Log

Hunting For Blue Cats

Type: Tidal
Region: Southern
Location: Potomac River

I have been out looking for snakehead fish on the Potomac with my bow at night and have not seen very many. I have seen some large blue cats and changed over to hunting them. We were able to shoot all we wanted once we found where they were. These were taken on 8-25-14. Some over 50 lbs.

Bow Hunting Blue Cats

Type: Tidal
Region: Southern
Location: Potomac

I went out a few times the second week of August on the Potomac bow fishing for snakehead. With all the plant life in the river now we are just not seeing many snakehead as they have plenty of cover to hide in. On the other hand the water is so clear due to the same plant life that the blue cats were very easy to see so we adapted. We were careful not to shoot any Channel Catfish although we might've seen 2 out of 100 that were actually channels most were blue cat. We had several over 30 pounds and some over 40, but I must say the smaller ones taste much better.

Potomac Snakehead Tournament

Type: Tidal
Region: Southern
Location: Potomac River

We participated in the Potomac snakehead tournament over the weekend May 31st to June 1st. We did not kill the most fish by far, but we did manage to get 3 fish over 15 pounds including the largest fish caught in the contest - 16.78 pounds. Had a real good time, met a lot of good people and got to eat snakehead fish prepared many ways which were all great. I want to say thanks to everyone involved to put a tournament together like this including MD DNR. There were a lot of snakehead removed from the river because of it!

Getting Rid of the Invasives

Type: Tidal
Region: Southern
Location: Potomac River

I was able to arrow 11 snakehead fish on 5-13-14 on the Potomac River. A couple of these fish were tagged and most of them had full egg sacks that looked like they would of spawned very soon. The water temp has gone to 73 and I was able to catch a few bass on top water also.

Snakehead Fillets

Type: Tidal
Region: Southern
Location: Potomac

We shot some more snakehead fish on the Potomac on the 21st of April and cleaned most of them on the 22nd. A lot of the fish had several herring in their bellies and some had whole Gizzard Shad that they managed to swallow. I believe these fish have learned quickly about when the shad and herring run and put themselves in the right place at the right time to take advantage of this food source. On the left is Theodore McKenzie and James Berry on the Right.

Potomac River Snakeheads

Type: Tidal
Region: Southern
Location: Potomac River

I shot some more snakehead fish on the Potomac River on April 21st, the one in this picture weighed 13.5 pounds. Still not seeing very many in day light hours, but I think now that it is getting warmer that will change.

Bowfishing Snakehead

Type: Tidal
Region: Southern
Location: Potomac River

I was able to catch this snakehead with my bow in the Potomac River on the 5th of April. I only saw one and think it will be several weeks before I go look again as the river is much colder than this time last year.

Team Overkill at the Snakehead Tournament

Type: Tidal
Region: Southern
Location: Potomac River

We entered the 2013 Potomac Snakehead tournament that was held at Smallwood State Park on June 29th and 30th.The weather and conditions were far from ideal but we were able to shoot 14 fish weighing just over 107 pounds. That was enough to take first place. Starting at the top left is Mike McDermott top middle is Bret Miron Captain of Team Overkill, top right is Jonathon Hill, bottom right is James Berry and bottom left is Todd Wood. We all had a great time and met a lot of great people. Plenty to eat and drink at the weigh in and lots of door prizes. This tournament was very professional and well organized. I want to give a shout out to all of the competitors that came to congratulate us after winning "true sportsmanship".